Imagine you’re meeting a group of people for the first time. Maybe it’s a networking event for women in your industry, a local neighborhood book club, or your first day volunteering with an organization. Close your eyes and imagine going into your closet. Pick out the outfit you are planning to wear all the way down to your shoes & accessories. Now imagine yourself walking into the event. Since these people are meeting you for the first time, what would your outfit tell them about you? Are you bold, friendly, interesting, bubbly, edgy, or confident? Are you a leader, artist, visionary, or powerhouse? What words would someone use to describe you? Does your wardrobe reflect the impact you want to make on the world?
You only have 7 seconds to make a good first impression
Maybe you’re thinking to yourself “Dawn, you’re overthinking it. It’s just clothes. Why does what I wear matter?” According to an article published by Forbes magazine, you only have 7 seconds to make a good first impression. An excerpt from the article states “you can start off on the right foot by dressing appropriately…” Seven seconds! Do you consider the impression you are making on others when you get dressed each morning? Yes, we want our words and actions to mean the most but whether we want to admit it or not, what we wear matters.
I believe that we can each curate a signature style that will help us present ourselves to the world in a way that shows others exactly who we are and what we’re here to do. Not just our job or career, but the purpose we were created for. The impact we desire to have on our friends, family, workplace, clients, or community.
According to an article by By Mark Rowh written for gradPSYCH magazine & published on the American Psychological Association website "You don't get a second chance to make a first impression," says James Uleman, PhD, a psychology professor at New York University and researcher on impression management. "In spite of the congeniality of many professional gatherings, judgments are being made and impressions formed all the time." The article also goes on to say “Another unfortunate fact: Research by Guadagno [Rosanna Guadagno, PhD, a University of Alabama psychology professor] and Robert Cialdini in the journal Sex Roles (2007) suggests dressing professionally is particularly critical for women, says Guadagno. "Women need to think more about their hairstyle and clothing and what it says about them," she says.
In a day and age where so many of us are overwhelmed with day to day responsibilities including work, family, household management, and more, thinking about what we’re going to wear each day sometimes feels like another chore. Add to that the fact that so many of us are on already tight budgets and often have little time to shop. We are easily influenced by social media content that encourages us to buy another top, or dress, or jeans that someone else has purchased. We often hit “buy now” with little regard to if that item is a good color for us, will work on our body type, or fits in with other clothes we already have. It looks good on the influencer whose post we saw, or your friend loves it, or the all too common - it was on sale. Then we wonder why we have a closet full of clothes but have nothing to wear. Is any of this resonating with you?
What if I told you that there was a simpler way to build a wardrobe that reflects:
1. How you want to show up in the world.
2. Is in your best colors.
3. Works with your body type.
4. Reflects your style personality.
5. All the pieces work together.
Do you believe that’s possible? And, when you’re buying pieces intentionally (or working with what you already have in your closet) you’ll actually save money in the long run. Plus getting dressed each day will be so much easier.
You don't get a second chance to make a first impression
That is EXACTLY what I help my clients do. And I want to help you too. Step 1 is to curate your Signature Style Statement. Maybe you’re reading this and it’s the first time you’ve heard the term Signature Style Statement. This is your first step in creating an authentic, intentional wardrobe that will tell the world exactly who you are. It is the first step to creating the best first impression possible.
Or maybe you’re reading this and you are thinking “Dawn, I’ve already written my Signature Style Statement”. Let me ask you another question: when did you do that? We are always changing, growing, evolving. Maybe it’s time to revisit that statement and make sure it’s still applicable to your current goals and dreams. You may have written the perfect statement the first time you worked through it but maybe, just maybe, it needs a little tweaking. I know mine has over the last few years as I’m discovering new things about myself and my purpose. Curating my wardrobe has been a process that I’m still refining. Discovering my own personal style is a journey. Revisiting and refining my Signature Style Statement has been like referring back to a map, making sure I’m on the right path.
To help you begin writing your very own Signature Style Statement I have created a Signature Style Statement Journal. You can purchase this digital download here.
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